Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Arming School Police, Ivy League Zombies, and Silvertop
Why are campus cops at Compton schools authorized to carry AR-15 semiautomatic rifles? Also, an iconic Los Angeles house hits the market.
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenThe Compton School Board has authorized campus police to carry AR-15 semi-automatic rifles. Police in many other school districts have them already. Could they pose more danger than they prevent? LAUSD announced today that its police will no longer cite or arrest students for minor offenses. Last week, at $38M, a 1962 Ferrari became the most expensive car ever sold. We talk to author William Deresiewicz about the downside of Ivy League educations. In a new book, he argues that elite schools are zombie factories. And finally, Silvertop, an iconic hillside residence is on the market for the first time since 1974. We take a look at the history of the home and the legacy of the architect behind it, John Lautner.
Banner Image: Police transfer high school students backpacks into a school bus to be picked up later at a different location.
In this episode
5 storiesArming School Police
The Compton School Board has authorized campus police to carry AR-15 semi-automatic rifles. But Compton’s not the only district buying the weapons for school officers. School police in Los Angeles, Baldwin Park, Santa Ana, Fontana and San Bernardino also have them. Why? And could they pose more danger than they prevent?
Read the story8 minL.A.U.S.D Police Change Tactics
The Los Angeles Unified School District has the biggest school police department in the country, with about 350 armed officers. But according to a new policy announced today, they will no longer arrest students for minor offenses like fighting, graffiti, petty theft or being caught with alcohol or cigarettes.
Read the story9 minThe Most Expensive Cars on Earth
The most expensive car ever sold at auction went for 38 million dollars last week. It sounds like a lot, but the number was disappointingly low for some collectors. We hear all about it and more from our regular car industry contributor.
Read the story8 minQuestioning Elite Education
A new school year is upon us. If you’re one of a very lucky few, you may be headed to an elite university like Harvard, Yale, Princeton or Stanford. But -- what if those at the upper echelon of higher education aren’t so lucky after all? That’s what author William Deresiewicz argues in a new book.
Read the story14 minSilvertop For Sale
Silvertop, an iconic hillside residence that embodies the quintessential L.A. showpiece home, is on the market for the first time since 1974. We take a look at the history of the home, and the legacy of the architect behind it, John Lautner.
Read the story8 min
